Complete Chanakya Neeti

by R.P. Jain

By preaching foolish pupils, looking after a wicked woman or keeping company of worried persons, even scholars will suffer. Therefore, foolish persons should never be encouraged to undertake any good deed. One must stay away from a characterless woman, otherwise his image will be tarnished. Similarly, an unhappy person can never give happiness, so stay away from him.

Servants are tested by fulfilment of their responsibilities, friends are tested in times of crisis, relations are tested in times of sorrow or incurable sickness and a woman is tested when you have no money.

People, who stray from their planned and feasible tasks and jump to unplanned and unachievable tasks, never succeed. They should, therefore, attempt only those tasks, which they are confident of achieving.

About women, Chanakya says that, as compared to men, their diet is twice as much, modesty is four times, courage is six times and desire for sex is eight times.

Any person, whose son is obedient, wife is loyal, wellmannered and is fully satisfied with his hard-earned income, enjoys the bliss of heaven in his lifetime. In other words, he is extremely satisfied and happy.

According to Chanakya, a true son is the one, who always obeys his parents. Only a person, who brings up his child properly, looks after his sorrow and happiness, is fit to be a father, in real terms. Only a trustworthy person can be a true friend and a woman, who delivers happiness to her husband, can, in fact, be called a wife.

Like most fruits which look good from outside are not sweet, similarly, people who talk sweet can be dangerous and untrustworthy. People, who flatter on your face and criticise behind your back, are not fit to be friends. They are like poison in milk. One should always be cautious of them and get rid of them at the earliest.

While planning out or implementing any desired work, if you disclose it, its successful conclusion becomes doubtful. So, take care not to disclose it to anyone till its successful conclusion.

being dependent on someone is most painful. Such a person can be compared to an animal. He has to act on someone elses orders. So, man should live life with strength.

Foolish and ignorant people are subjected to mocking. Amongst the learned people, their condition is like that of a crow amongst swans. He is neither able to express his ideas nor is he able to accept ideas of wisdom of others. For this reason, Chanakya says that those parents, who do not arrange for proper education of their children, are their worst enemies.

According to Chanakya, by pampering and accepting all the right or wrong demands of their children, they develop several bad habits. These bad habits hinder their progress and development in the future. It is, therefore, essential to discipline them also, in addition to loving them. A potter also needs to pat, caress and even beat the rotating mound on his wheel, to shape it into a beautiful pottery. Parents must also bring up and shape their children like the potter shapes his pottery.

Life's every moment, hour and day is important. So, man must use it purposefully. For this, it is necessary that everyday he does self-study of a ved mantra, half a shloka, shlokansh or a word. If for any reason he is unable to do so, then he must donate. If it is not possible to donate, then he should perform an act of kindness or do a good deed during the day. People, who do not follow this, are wasting every moment of their life.

There are some sorrows in a man's life which are impossible to forget. Losing your wife, an insult by a near and dear one, burden of debt, serving a wicked master and living a life of poverty with fools-these hardships cause illness and push a man towards death.

Chanakya says that a guest is important only if his stay is short. If without hesitation or shamelessly he extends his stay, then it is graceless, as a prostitute leaves a poor man, the subjects leave a defeated king and birds leave a dead tree, similarly, a guest must quickly leave after having and praising the food, offered to him.

Chanakya says that as a Brahmin moves on after receiving offerings, a student goes his way after completing his education and animals abandon a burnt forest, similarly, a man should quickly leave the abode taken up for attaining his objective, after achieving his objective. This will indicate his wisdom.

Happiness or sorrow and ups or downs come and go in everyone's life. So, a man should not feel helpless but face it with courage.

an intelligent person, Chanakya says that he should marry his daughter in a respectable and suitable family. He should also provide the best possible education to his son and involve his friends in religious activities. It is necessary that the intelligent person ensures that his enemies are always trapped in difficulties. Then, they will never be able to create any hurdles or crisis for him.

Chanakya says that a snake bite is an unfortunate event. However, a wicked person will betray you at every step and unnecessarily hurts you. Therefore, if given a choice between the two, choose the snake without any hesitation.

Praising intelligent persons, Chanakya says that inspite of merger of several rivers into it, the sea remains calm but when there is a storm, then it breaks all boundaries and submerges large areas of the earth. But patient, mature and wise gentlemen maintain their cool even in adverse circumstances.

A foolish person is like an animal with two legs. He can neither differentiate between right and wrong nor can he be taught anything. So, leave the company of such a person at the earliest. Like a thorn in the feet, even if not visible, hurts immensely, similarly, the foolish talk of a fool constantly pricks gentlemen.

as the fragrant and beautiful flower of the Dhak tree butea frondosa is never offered to gods/ goddesses, nor does it attract attention, similarly an illiterate but attractive person born in upper caste family cannot get respect. Looks, beauty, wealth, property, power, status and youth become graceful only when they are supported by education and wisdom.

if it is possible to protect the family by the relinquishment or sacrifice of one person, then it should be accepted. Similarly, if you can protect your village or society by the relinquishment or sacrifice of one family, then it is entirely appropriate. To save your state, a village or society can be sacrificed. But Chanakya also says that nothing is more important than you. So, if you need to sacrifice the whole world for your progress and protection, then do so without any hesitation. If you are yourself not there, then you have no use for your village, society or state.

Persons, who are vigorous or hard-working, do not face poverty; persons dedicated in praying are sinless; silence does not lead to arguments, rather creates a peaceful atmosphere. Similarly, a person, who is careful, alert and aware, will be fearless and no one can harm him.

excess of anything or act is harmful. According to him, Sita was kidnapped by Ravan because she was extraordinarily beautiful. Having excessive arrogance and ego caused the great scholar Ravan's death. On account of his excessive generosity, the demon king Bali lost everything and was sent to hell. It can, therefore, be said without any doubt that excesses lead to the end of man.

No work is difficult or impossible for people who are powerful, capable and courageous.

Chanakya says that like a single tree with fragrant flowers makes the whole forest aromatic, similarly, a single virtuous son born in the family reforms it.

as a single tree on fire can burn an entire forest, similarly, a virtueless son born in a status family can disgrace it by his acts.

As a single moon can dispel darkness-a job which cannot be done, even by hundreds of stars, similarly, a talented scholar, with character and soft speech, brings pride to the whole family.

a notorious and virtueless son pushes the family towards grief and dishonour, which leads to its ruin. On the contrary, a virtuous son, by his knowledge, wisdom and learning, earns place of pride, for the family in the society.

On the responsibilities of a father towards his child, Chanakya says that for the first five years, he must be brought up with love and affection. For the next ten years, he must be brought up with strict discipline, because this is the period for the development of his personality. This period is like the foundation on which will rest the rest of his life. From the age of sixteen, he should be treated like a friend; guide him like a friend; settle his problems like a friend.

The person, who escapes frightful disturbances, riots, attack by enemy, dreadful famines and company of wicked people is capable of defending his life.

Religion, wealth, sex and salvation have been termed as four important sects of life. Anyone, who does partake in any one of these sects, is wasting his life. Without any of these attributes, his life is like death, he has taken birth to die and to be reborn again.

in a state where the fools are not honoured, which is extraordinarily prosperous, in a house where there are no arguments between husband and wife, the presence of Goddess Lakshmi is certain.

Chanakya says that your age, activities, wealth, education and death is decided when you are still in your mothers womb.

fish raises her offsprings by sight, turtle by care and birds by touch, similarly, the company of gentlemen and qualified persons raises the level of common people. Their company opens the doors to God. Therefore, people should seek the company of saintly persons.

Chanakya says that religious activities, charity/pilgrimage, prayer/ worship and fasting/attending discourses, etc. open the way to heaven. So for cleansing your soul, while you are hale and hearty, you must perform all these activities as per the proper practices, otherwise there will be nothing left after death.

Chanakya has compared education to Kamdhenu. He says that like a person possessing Kamdhenu will never die of hunger, similarly, after attaining education, a man becomes capable to face any crisis. In a foreign place, education is like your mother, who will protect you at every step. Education is a hidden treasure, which no one can steal; on the contrary, the more you use it, the more it develops.

a single bright and capable son is far better than hundred unmerited sons.

Residing in a bad or disreputed place, serving people of unknown background, eating bad food, a short-tempered wife, a foolish son and a widowed daughter-Chanakya says that these six reasons give heart rending pain like fire.

everyone is distressed by some sorrow. Such a person can feel happiness and peace only in the company of a virtuous son, loyal wife and gentlemen.

a king's order is like a command and needs no repetition. Scholars and Pundits stick to what they say. A daughter's hand is given away in marriage once. So, any person, who wants do a good deed, must do it in one go.

Meditation, prayerofferings and learning of lesson should be done alone. Involvement of more persons will create obstacles. Contrarily, studies are better done by two persons together. More than two persons will indulge in wasteful talk. For singing, three persons are adequate, whereas for travel, four persons are appropriate. For farming, five persons and for war, the largest number of persons are required.

Chanakya says that a woman, who is pure, clever, wise; who is prudently devoted; who only loves her husband; who always speaks the truth and shuns lies, only that woman is respect/worthy and fit for the home/family.

without practice, even scholars cannot recite manuscripts properly and will be mocked. For them, this insult will be more painful than death. So, for a scholar, who does not practise regularly, the manuscript is like poison. Similarly, a person, whose digestion is weak or who cannot digest food properly, even delicacies are like poison for him. Because in meetings and seminars, the poor person is always insulted, so for him such places are like poison. For an aged person, a young wife is like poison. In such circumstances, the young wife's behaviour is very painful and insulting for the aged man.

Chanakya cautions mankind to never accept a religion, which is bereft of compassion; not to consider a person as a Guru who is not a scholar; not take an extremely short-tempered woman as a wife. Similarly, never consider children, who lack affection; friends, who do not value friendship, dear and trustworthy.

Chanakya says that walking lost in thought for long periods, keeping horses tied to their holders, denying women sexual pleasures and drying clothes in sun for very long signal the arrival of old age.

people should take precautions regarding certain important matters. How are we doing, who are our friends and foes, how is our residence, how much is our income and expenditure, what is our strength-they must focus on all these matters. People, who take care of all these matters, are never unsuccessful.

Chanakya has considered the Mother who gives birth to you, the Brahmin, who performs your religious thread ceremony, the Guru, who teaches you, the person, who feeds you and one who dispels fear, having the status of your Father. He says man should be indebted to them and should always respect/honour them.

man has five mothers- the King's wife, Guru's wife, friend's wife, wife's mother and your own mother. He says man should extend due respect/honour to them. Anyone, who shows evil intent against them or disrespects them, goes to hell.

Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya are born twice-once from the mother's womb and, the second time, when they attain knowledge from the Guru. They are, therefore, called dual castes. Their idol is Sun God. In contrast, the Gods of saints reside in their hearts. The Gods of people with limited intelligence exist in statues. But for very broad-minded people, the Gods exist in every particle in the world.